NFL Players to Watch in 2014

Tavon Austin, WR, Rams

Austin came into the 2013 season billed as arguably the greatest offensive weapon in the draft. His first-year numbers were pedestrian on paper (40 catches for 418 yards and four TDs), but Austin did flash some of his dazzling potential toward the end of the season. In back-to-back November games, the diminutive dynamo caught four passes for a combined 177 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 69 yards and an additional touchdown, and threw in a breathtaking 98-yard punt return. That could be closer to the norm in 2014. (Getty Photo/Christian Petersen)

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Second-Year Surg...By Jeff Royer, XFINITY Sports The rookies get all the hype, but it's the second-year players who make the big splashes in the NFL. See who's primed for a breakout year in 2014. (Getty Photos)

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Tavon Austin, WR...Austin came into the 2013 season billed as arguably the greatest offensive weapon in the draft. His first-year numbers were pedestrian on paper (40 catches for 418 yards and four TDs), but Austin did flash some of his dazzling potential toward the end of the season. In back-to-back November games, the diminutive dynamo caught four passes for a combined 177 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 69 yards and an additional touchdown, and threw in a breathtaking 98-yard punt return. That could be closer to the norm in 2014. (Getty Photo/Christian Petersen)

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Dee Milliner, CB...The ninth overall pick in last year's draft struggled mightily in his rookie year, and was benched repeatedly by Rex Ryan when not sidelined by a hamstring injury. But by the season's end, Milliner started putting it all together. In weeks 16 and 17, he broke up 10 passes and had three interceptions. Has has yet to fill Darrelle Revis' big shoes, but Milliner has Pro Bowl potential, and could start to fulfill it in 2014. (Getty Photo/Ron Antonelli)

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Zach Ertz, TE, E...Chip Kelly's system helped most of the Eagles' offensive weapons put up career numbers in 2013. In tight end Zach Ertz's case, however, we may have seen just the tip of the iceberg. While playing second fiddle to Brent Celek, Ertz hauled in 36 catches for 469 yards and four touchdowns. That's second to just Rob Gronkowski for rookie-year production since 2000. With a full year of Kelly's offense under his belt, Ertz could spell trouble for the rest of the NFC East. (Getty Photo/Elsa)

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Andre Ellington,...Ellington emerged as a true weapon in his rookie season while splitting snaps with Rashard Mendenhall, averaging 5.5 YPC while showing off electrifying athleticism. He enters 2014 not only as the Cardinals' primary back following Mendenhall's retirement, but with the full endorsement of Bruce Arians as the new centerpiece of the offense. Ellington has reportedly packed on 10 pounds in the offseason, adding some toughness to his ground game. He dazzled during his brief moments in the spotlight last year; in 2014, he'll be up in lights all season. (Getty Photo/Christian Petersen)

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Cordarrelle Patt...Patterson earned his way onto the Pro Bowl roster as a returner last year. In 2014, he could do it as a receiver. In his last four games, Patterson hauled in 15 catches for 215 yards and three touchdowns. Norv Turner is reportedly retooling the way the young receiver is used in Minnesota's offense. With Teddy Bridgewater slinging the ball, the results could be deadly. (Getty Photo/Hannah Foslien)

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Dion Jordan, DE,...The third overall pick in the 2013 draft, Jordan failed to live up to the suffocating hype surrounding his freakish size and athleticism. Some was due to being misused. Some was due to lousy coaching. Some was because of a shoulder injury that cost him in the offseason. Now healthy and with a year of Miami's system under his belt, Jordan is primed for a big breakout as a game-disrupting pass rusher. (Getty Photo/Mike Ehrmann)

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Travis Frederick...Frederick was a punchline last year after he was plucked by Jerry Jones in the first round in what was widely seen as a massive reach. He did little early in the year to put a stop to his critics, but ultimately was selected to the NFL All-Rookie team thanks to dominant late-season play as a powerful run blocker. He stabilized Dallas' woeful line last year. With more adequate help to either side of him in 2014, he could shine. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)

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Jordan Reed, TE,...A concussion ended Reed's rookie season early, but not before he emerged as a potent weapon for RG3, hauling in 45 catches for nearly 500 yards and three touchdowns in just nine games. Now fully recovered from his injury, Reed should reap the full benefit of the Skins' new pass-happy attack under newly hired head coach Jay Gruden. With DeSean Jackson drawing attention away, Reed has every advantage. (Getty Photo/Patrick McDermott)

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Montee Ball, RB,...Denver let Knowshon Moreno walk away in the offseason. It may have been a case of addition by subtraction. In doing so, the Broncos gave a clear signal that they're ready to make Ball their go-to back. While battling for snaps, Ball shined in the latter half of the season, amassing 559 yards on 120 carries. With all eyes on Denver's passing attack, Ball will have plenty of chances to blast unsuspecting D-lines up the middle. (Getty Photo/Elsa)

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Kenny Vaccaro, S...Vaccaro made a lot of noise in Rob Ryan's defense last season before fracturing his ankle in Week 16. He ended his first year with 79 tackles, an interception, a sack and a forced fumble, a testament to the many ways in which he was used. He'll line up this year opposite Jairus Byrd. No one's throwing the ball in Byrd's direction, which means Vaccaro can step up to show what he's really made of. (Getty Photo/Chris Graythen)

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Robert Woods, WR...Sammy Watkins is going to sell more jerseys, but Woods showed the potential to light up the field last season while being targeted by a rookie quarterback and a pair of underwhelming backups. He ended the season with 40 receptions for 587 yards and three TDs. With EJ Manuel a year more experienced, and Watkins drawing double coverage, Woods could emerge as a real weapon for Buffalo. (Getty Photo/Sam Greenwood)

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